Ty the Tasmanian Tiger PS4 Review
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger is an old school platformer released in 2002 by Krome Studios, an Australian company and published by EA of all people. How does it compare to games in the same genre? What can we take from this game? And most of all, is it and enjoyable experience? This review will hopefully answer all of these questions and more.
First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for viewing my first ever video game review, this is something that I have wanted to do for a very long time. What better game to start with than this one?
I have always felt that Ty gets pushed out of the limelight by other games but can never put my finger on why this is. The game is simply astounding. Striking visuals with a solid art style truly sell this game for me. It’s a fun experience from start to finish, and whilst some levels are far better designed than others, I cannot deny that I have fun coming back to this game. Even now as I play it on the PlayStation 4 I am reminded of the memories that this game once invoked in me.
Ship Rex is a level that will always stand out to me as one of the best designed levels in recent history. I say recent, at the time of this review the game is almost 20 years old. Ship Rex has many branching paths and hidden areas, like a true game of the genre should have. Vast amounts of water cover this level with smaller islands in between to keep the gameplay flowing. This creates a level of exploration I have only felt in a handful of releases. There are a lot of hidden paths and areas to explore, leading to a sense of replay-ability that I only find in games like this. And that’s just a single level.
One thing that has to be mentioned when talking about this game is the music. I can’t think of one bad track when it comes to Ty. Every track is distinct and memorable, each piece of music feels like it was truly crafted to match the setting of the level. Bridge on the River Ty is a fan favourite and absolutely sells the level. Outback safari is another good one, and whilst the level itself is probably my least favourite in the game, the music really makes it all come together. The sound design itself is also amazing for the time, splashing noises when you step in water, crackling noises close to fire sources, and the boomerangs. Just writing this I can hear the low-pitched roar of a Kaboomerang. It’s things like that, that truly make a game memorable for me. All of this comes together to create something truly special. As we enter the middle of the review, I would like to point out this is being reviewed on the PS4, but would like to point out that I am committing a lot of this from memory of the PS2 version also. Graphically the game feels a lot better in HD, the textures really pop on a high-definition display compared to an old CRT monitor.
The game still controls brilliantly, after all this time Krome really did a good job on how to make the controls feel just as responsive as a modern game. As Ty you can jump, swim, bite and glide your way through a level which offers multiple ways to complete said level. All of which is easy to pick up, there is a emphasis on simplicity which is really great. One button to jump, you hold the same button to glide, one button to dive underwater, this is the same button to bite and one button to throw your boomerangs.
This review really doesn’t do this game the justice it deserves, all I can say it that I hope to see more from our extinct friend soon enough.
One of the final things I would like to mention is the number of collectibles available in this game; 300 opals are available to collect in each level, thunder eggs for completing main events and side events such as helping a park ranger clear a cave of bats or complete a ‘super tower high dive’. Picture frames which unlock concept art, these picture frames are initially invisible until you unlock a specific boomerang in order to locate them. Rainbow scales are another item that are scattered around the hub world, there are 25 of these to be exact, when you find all of these scales you are in for a treat, or should I say a ‘double good treat’. Any one who has collected them will understand that. On top of these are bilbies, these are animals which has been locked away in wooden cages which Ty can open in order to free them.
There are plenty of reasons to return to this game, time attacks being one of them, I’m actually placed in the top 20 in many time trials on this game. In the PS4 version this is linked to a global leader board where you can compete for the top spot. I must have attempted the Ship Rex time trial about 30 times and ultimately gave up, I must give it up to the people at the top of those leader boards, they really know the game inside out.
I can’t wait to review the other 2 3D Ty games in this amazing series, there is so much I missed out here, but ultimately the game is affordable to any platforming fan and really would encourage anyone who is considering purchasing it to do so. You honestly can’t go wrong. Thank you to Krome once again for this amazing part of history. Long may your work continue. Thanks for keeping in touch also. We really appreciate you allowing us to use your music in this review. That’s it guys, that is my review of Ty the Tasmanian Tiger on PlayStation 4.
I fully recommend this game. Have fun playing. Luke
Date of review: 26/05/2021
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